Satellite array system for detection and identification

Abstract

The technology disclosed relates to a multi-satellite system including at least three satellites where at least two of the satellites comprises at least one antenna array for obtaining observation data, and methods for controlling and continuously changing the configuration of a multi-satellite formation including at least three satellites in a formation. The system enables controlling the relative distances between the satellites and continuously changing the configuration and directions of antenna arrays of separate satellites in a multi-satellite formation in that at least one of the satellites comprises a propulsion system for continuously changing the movement and direction of the satellite relative the other satellites in the formation to thereby, in turn, also change the relative distances and directions between the antennas of separate satellites in the formation.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A satellite system including:
 a set of satellites in a formation, wherein the formation includes: 
 at least three satellites each equipped with a propulsion system and at least one observation antenna for beam-steering operations and arranged in a multi-satellite formation supporting continuous beam steering operations by the combination of satellites for continuously collecting observation data in the form of electromagnetic energy from a moving object whose observation data currently is collected, wherein the observation antenna arra ys of at least two separate satellites in the multi-satellite formation are configured to be directed in mutually different directions, and 
 a sensor unit for obtaining radiation sensor data and at least one communication hub satellite provided with a wireless communication link with a ground station and configured to at least one of obtain and receive at least one of sky and earth observation data collected by the at least three satellites in the multi-satellite formation; and 
 a control system comprising a software and configured to: 
 obtain at least one of space and earth observation data collected by the observation antenna arrays of the satellites in the multi-satellite formation; 
 obtain radiation sensor data from the sensor unit and pre-known knowledge from software, wherein the pre-known knowledge includes previous directions and configuration and/or shape of the satellite system; and 
 dynamically and continuously change the configuration and shape of said multi-satellite formation for improved tracking and beam steering operations by the combination of satellites by controlling the propulsion system of the satellites in the multi-satellite formation by sending commands to the propulsion systems of the satellites in the multi-satellite formation at least partly based on observation data collected by the observation antenna arrays of the at least three satellites in the multi-satellite formation, radiation sensor data obtained by the sensor unit of the satellite system and some pre-known knowledge in terms of previously acquired observation data obtained from the software to thereby change at least the relative angle directions of the radiation lobes of the observation antenna arrays of at least two separate satellites in the multi-satellite formation for improved tracking and beam steering operations by the combination of satellites. 
 
     
     
       2. The satellite system according to  claim 1 , wherein at least two of the satellites in the multi-satellite formation each further comprises at least one side antenna array arranged with antenna elements configured to at least one of transmit observation data collected by an observation antenna array to at least one adjacent satellite in the formation and receive observation data collected by an observation antenna array from at least one adjacent satellite in the formation. 
     
     
       3. The satellite system according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said at least two satellites further comprises at least one side antenna array arranged and configured to transmit observation data collected by an observation antenna array to at least one adjacent satellite in the formation simultaneously with said continuous collection of observation data by said at least one observation antenna array of the same satellite. 
     
     
       4. The satellite system according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said at least two satellites in the multi-satellite formation comprises at least one observation antenna array and at least one side antenna array which are arranged and configured so that the arrangement direction, or radiation direction, of the antenna elements of said at least one observation antenna array and the arrangement direction of the antenna elements of said at least one side antenna array are directed in mutually different directions, thereby being arranged to mitigate interference problems to enable for the simultaneous sharing of collected observation data with the continuous collecting of observation data. 
     
     
       5. The satellite system according to  claim 1 , wherein the antenna elements of said at least one observation antenna array and the antenna elements of said at least one side antenna array are arranged and directed in mutually different directions in that the antenna elements of said at least one observation antenna array are arranged on a first surface whose normal axis over the surface areas of said first surface where the antenna elements are arranged is directed at an angle relative the normal axis of the surface areas of a second surface of the same satellite onto which the antenna elements of said at least one side antenna array are arranged. 
     
     
       6. The satellite system according to  claim 1 , wherein the antenna elements of said at least one observation antenna array are arranged on said first surface so that the normal axis over the surface areas of said first surface where the antenna elements are arranged is directed at an angle relative the normal axis of the surface areas of a second surface of the same satellite onto which the antenna elements of said at least one side antenna array are arranged is within an angle range of 60-120 degrees. 
     
     
       7. The satellite system according to  claim 1 , wherein the antenna elements of said at least one observation antenna array and the antenna elements of said at least one side antenna array are configured and arranged on said first and second surfaces, respectively, so that the normal axis over the surface areas of said first surface where the antenna elements of said at least one observation antenna array are arranged is directed at a constant angle relative the normal axis of the surface areas of said second surface of the same satellite onto which the antenna elements of said at least one side antenna array are arranged. 
     
     
       8. The satellite system according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said at least two satellites in the multi-satellite formation comprises at least two observation antenna arrays which are arranged and configured so that the antenna elements of a first observation antenna array and the antenna elements of a second observation antenna array are directed in mutually different directions, thereby being arranged to mitigate interference problems to enable for the simultaneous collecting of observation data by the at least two observation antenna arrays. 
     
     
       9. The satellite system according to  claim 1 , wherein the antenna elements of a first observation antenna array and the antenna elements of a second observation antenna array of the same at least one satellite in the multi-satellite formation are arranged and directed in mutually different directions in that the antenna elements of said first observation antenna array are directed at an angle relative the arrangement direction of the antenna elements of said second observation antenna array. 
     
     
       10. A method for dynamically controlling the configuration and shape of a multi-satellite formation of a satellite system according to  claim 1 , said method is comprising:
 forming at least three satellites arranged in a multi-satellite formation supporting continuous beam steering operations by the combination of satellites for continuously collecting observation data in the form of electromagnetic energy from a moving object whose observation data currently is collected, wherein each of the at least three satellites is equipped with a propulsion system and at least one observation antenna for beam-steering operations by the combination of satellites; 
 collecting, by the observation antennas of the at least three satellites in the multi-satellite formation, observation data from at least one of space and earth in the form of electromagnetic energy from a moving object whose observation data currently is collected; 
 detecting, by at least one sensor unit of the set of satellites of the satellite system, radiation sensor data; 
 receiving, by the control system, said observation data from at least one of the satellites in the multi-satellite formation; 
 obtaining, by the control system, radiation sensor data from said at least one sensor unit and pre-known knowledge from a software of the satellite system, wherein the pre-known knowledge includes previous directions and configuration and/or shape of the satellite system; and 
 controlling, continuously by said control system, the propulsion system of at least one of the satellites in the multi-satellite formation at least partly based on said received observation data,, said obtained radiation sensor data and said obtained pre-known knowledge; 
 wherein said propulsion system is controlled by said control system continuously sending commands to the propulsion system of at least one of the satellites in the multi-satellite formation to thereby continuously change at least the relative angle directions of the radiation lobes of the observation antenna arrays of at least two separate satellites in the multi-satellite formation for improved tracking an beam steering operations by the combination of satellites.